Dear Garden, Here's My New Year's List for You!

Winter may look quiet, but beneath the surface the garden is very busy. Roots are stretching, earthworms are tunneling, and soil life is slowly preparing for spring. This is the perfect season to care for the garden in gentle, thoughtful ways.

Using cardboard or newspaper in the garden is one of our favorite winter tricks. Plain, untreated cardboard or newspaper laid over the soil helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health over time. Simply remove tape and staples, lay cardboard over your bed, and top it with compost, leaves, or mulch. By spring, the worms will have started breaking it down for you.

Here are a few more winter projects that make a big difference:

• Feed the soil. Add a light layer of compost on to

  p of beds. No need to dig — the winter rains will help carry nutrients downward.

• Use your leaves wisely. Instead of bagging them, spread leaves as mulch around shrubs and perennials. They insulate roots and eventually become rich organic matter.

• Prune with purpose. Winter is a great time to prune roses, deciduous trees, and grapevines. Focus first on removing dead or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning on plants that bloom early, or you may lose flowers.

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• Let beneficial insects rest. Leave some stems, seed heads, and leaf litter undisturbed. Many bees, butterflies, and ladybugs overwinter there.

• Plant cool-season crops. Lettuce, kale, peas, onions, and garlic love our mild Lodi winters.

• Water when needed. If we have a dry stretch, give trees and shrubs a deep drink, especially newly planted ones.

• Plan ahead. Winter is perfect for sketching garden ideas, ordering seeds, and deciding where to add a new pollinator-friendly area.

• Care for your tools. Sharpen pruners, clean blades, and oil handles. Your spring self will thank you.

Winter gardening is quieter — slower — but every small step now leads to healthier plants and happier gardeners later.